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SR-301-004-02 /' 30/- 0 C9'-02 5-A DEe l' . RP:DTA:VR Council Meeting December 10, 1985 Santa Monica, California TO: Mayor and city council FROM: city Staff SUBJECT: status of Various Recommendations of Working Group on the Homeless INTRODUCTION On December, 11, 1984 city council requested the City Manager convene a Working Group on the Homeless to explore the growing community problem and pose recommendations for Council action. Council suggested that the mandate of the Working Group include: conducting public workshops and hearings considering the needs of the homeless proposing City positions on legislative programs in the areas of mental health, housing, penal law, and other areas that may be required to assist in this problem considering measures the city, other government agencies, and the private and non-profit sectors may take to improve the lot of the homeless and to reduce the perceived and actual threat to public safety and business climate posed by the presence of this problem. Subsequent to Council direction, the city Manager's Office convened a 15 person Working Group which included representatives of key interest groups in the community which are impacted by the homeless problem including social service providers, local merchants, and neighborhood groups. The Working Group met twice a month from January through April, 1985 and conducted numerous - 1 - 5-A Df~ 1 (} 19l1S subcommittee meetings on specific topics. In May, 1985 the Final Report of the Working Group was presented to Council for consideration. Included in the report were various recommendations the status of which are reviewed in this staff report. STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. "The City of Santa Monica should commence litigation against the County of Los Angeles for failing to meet the needs of the mentally disabled..." The City Council has this recommendation under continuing consideration in closed session. 2. "Support (fund) social services for the Homeless in Santa Monica using the following criteria: a) Minimize negative impact on residential and business communities. b) Funded agency should have a "track record" of service to the homeless in Santa Monica (or near proximity) . c) Funded agency should have a broad base of support in Santa Monica including ability to raise funds and attract volunteers. d) ci ty needs several small day centers rather than one large day center...." The criteria developed by the Working Group have been utilized by City staff in evaluating proposals for services to the homeless and have been added to other already existing criteria which are used to screen services which receive city funding. - 2 - 3. liThe following proposals for services to the homeles meet our criteria and we urge that you support them: CLARE Foundation - expansion of day feeding progrm and addition of service center Turning Point - continuation of comprehensive shelter program (Ocean Park community center) Turning Point Day Services services to the homeless (OPCC) extension of current Santa Monica Womens Day Center - to be operated by opec to serve homeless women and their children st. Joseph's Center - for continuing program of serving the homeless Salvation Army - feeding program downtown Venice Family Clinic - medical services and outreach to homeless.,.." In the 1985-86 community services Program, the following agencies were funded by the City to provide services to the homeless: CLARE Sober Inn $ 63,802 Turning Point Shelter (OPCC) 80,324 (with 5 bed expansion for 35 bed total) Turning Point Advocacy services 111,279 (about 80% for services to the homeless) Santa Monica Womens Day Center not funded (did not have site control) st. Joseph's Center 50,000 (one time grant to recover from arson fire) Salvation Army Feeding Program plus food account with food bank 7,914 10,608 venice Family Clinic (homeless health care project) 20,000 In addition, the following agencies receive city funding and serve some homeless people amongst their client mix: - 3 - Wests ide Food Bank 65,207 LIEU-Cap (serves exclusively low income people, about 20% homeless) 73,494 4. "Recognizing that the homeless population includes victims of domestic violence and throw-away youth, it is recommended that the Council continue to fund programs which address these two areas (such as Sojourn Shelter for Battered Women and Stepping Stone Shelter for Youth)" Both Sojourn and Stepping Stone received city funding for 1985-86. Each agency serves a particular client group which can include homeless people but is not designed to address the problem of homelessness. Sojourn Battered Womens Shelter t33,041 stepping Stone 64,511 5. "Adopt a resolution requesting the County of Los Angeles to locate a Day Center for the homeless on the westside" On behalf of the city Council the Mayor sent a letter to the County Board of supervisors urging that a day center be established on the westside. Councilmembers and City Staff also worked closely with representatives of Supervisor Dana's Office in the establishment of the LIEU-Cap shelter for women and children in Venice. Screening of clients for that shelter is handled through the Ocean Park Community Center and st. Joseph's. - 4 - 6. IIAdopt a resolution requesting the County of Los Angeles to discontinue unreasonable regulations which result in General Relief terminations including the 60-day penalty which leaves needy individuals without the most minimal support and contributes to the homeless problem.1I On September la, 1985 Council adopted a resolution urging the County to develop a more humane alternative to the sixty day penalty for noncompliance with General Relief eligibility requirements. The resolution was also sent to cities in the surrounding area for their information and concurrence. No significant changes have been made in the General Relief 60 day penalty since the resolution was passed, and the issue continues to be debated countywide. Annually there are an estimated 24,000 instances of people being on a 60 day penalty in Los Angeles County. 7. IIInvestigate the possibility of allowing a limited number of homeless individuals who need to sleep in their vehicles to park in a parking lot in the Civic Center area near the Santa Monica Police Department overnight under permits issued by the Police Department." After discussion with the Pol ice Department , it has been suggested that this should be handled on an informal basis when the need arises. From time to time destitute families are allowed to sleep in their cars in the lots near City Hall. Formalizing the arrangement is not recommended by staff. - 5 - 8. "Review the City's policy in relationship to public toilets with the goal of making more toilet facilities available for increased hours where appropriate.1I Beginning six months ago the restrooms in the parking structures have been left open 24 hours a day. Restrooms in public park areas are open daily from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. 9. "City of Santa Monica should prepare a brochure to deal with the public's concern about the homeless and criminal behavior...." Staff is in the process of developing such an informational brochure. 10, "The Homeless Resource card, printed by the City of Santa Monica, should be updated and expanded and distributed widely to businesses, the homeless and the community. The card should include information on local ordinances." The Homeless Resource Card has been updated and distributed throughout the community. staff will be developing one brochure on relevant city ordinances appropriate for the homeless and city residents as well rather than providing two different pamphlets. 11. "City consider acquisition of problem liquor outlets in the downtown business district which attract alcohol-dependent individuals to the downtown park and mall areas." - 6 - Acquisi tion of the above-mentioned liquor outlets does not appear to be feasible at this time. The city Attorney's Office is exploring other avenues to address this problem. 12. "An outreach team be fully funded on a year's trial basis and expanded to a second team if deemed necessary after 6 months. Furthermore, these teams should work co-operatively with the SMPD and other community staff (e.g. park staff, lifeguards) who interface regularly with mentally disabled and other homeless individuals." The Department of Community and Economic Development has issued an RFP for services to the homeless, specifically an outreach team and a day center, for funding from the $104,395 remaining from the Community Development Program for 1985-86. These proposals are due December 16 and will be rated along with proposals for services to the frail elderly. Several agencies have indicated an interest in developing proposals for outreach workers in response to the RFP. 13. "City allocate $2,000 for a pragmatic study which would include re-analysis of current data around specific community issues; review of other areas' homeless literature and studies; and identification and review of the limited literature available on the success of policies in other areas. . . . II ci ty Staff has not seen the need to commission such an analysis of available data because of familiarity with information and programs developed elsewhere. However, the - 7 - city has submitted a request to receive technical assistance from the National Institute of Mental Health, through the u.s. Conference of Mayors, regarding handling of the homeless mentally ill. A recent letter received by the Mayor indicates that Santa Monica is one of the cities selected. 14. "The Ci ty Council designate an individual wi thin the city Manager's Office as a homeless co-ordinator to keep abreast of current opportunities for appropriate action...." \Yhile no one individual has been designated to work full time on this issue, there are a number of individual staff members who are devoting considerable time to tracking the homeless issue. Staff in the city Attorney's Office, the Recreation and Parks Department and the Department of Communi ty and Economic Development continue to co-ordinate their efforts in staying abreast of developments locally and nationally. In addi tion the Assistant to the Director of Recreation and Parks serves on the FEMA Emergency Services Technical Committee representing the League of California cities. This committee distributes and monitors grants to agencies throughout the county which offer services to the homeless. Lastly, the city Council introduced a resolution at the recent convention of the League of California Cities regarding increased services to the homeless mentally ill. This resolution, together with two others dealing with services to this population, were passed by the convention. - 8 - 15. IIprovide opportunities for community education and dialogue on the homeless issue in cooperation with local religious groups, agencies, the business community, service organizations, and the westside Shelter Coalition. This could be one task of the homeless co-ordinator." City staff continues to participate in the westside Shelter Coali tion and devoted considerable time to organizing the October conference on homelessness sponsored by the Coalition. In addition, staff participated in a panel at the League's San Francisco conference regarding Santa Monica's efforts in this area. 16. "City should continue funding for the permanent structure gards, adding extra guards if needed." Four additional structure guards were added last fiscal year. There are now a total of 8 structure guards patrolling the downtown mall, parking structures, and Palisades Park. 17. "City should identify temporary employment opportunities within City government for homeless individuals seeking work. In addition, the City should encourage local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to provide temporary and permanent opportunities for employment of the homeless, working through the local EDD office." While procedures have been developed within city departments to hire temporary employees through EDD and to provide them with same or next-day pay, very few individuals have been so - 9 - hired. City staff will renew efforts in this area and contact the Chamber to encourage local businesses to do likewise. Despite the city's limited success in terms of numbers of people hired, the Advisory committee of the local EDD office awarded the city an "Employer of the Year" award for efforts to work co-operatively with them in providing employment opportunities for homeless people. 18. "City Council should ask the Police Department to investigate individuals believed to be panhandlers who are engaging in anti-social or criminal behavior in order to successfully prosecute them when appropriate.1t The Police Department has commenced an undercover operation in Palisades Park which resulted in the arrests of 22 people on major crimes. Periodic undercover work such as this will be carried on from time to time. 19. ItThe City Council should communicate with the Federal government...to express our alarm at the current suggestions to cut funding for Federal programs that help individuals and families needing assistance (e.g. FEMA funding, General Revenue Sharing) . The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, has sent letters to fedral representatives regarding funding of services to the homeless and low income families. TRENDS IN SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS - 10 - In preparation for this report, local agencies were informally surveyed for information on trends in the homeless clients which they are serving. The Ocean Park Community Center reports an increase in the numbers of older (40-50 year old) chronically mentally ill people who come to the Center seeking help. This population is too disruptive to house in Turning Point Shelter. st. Joseph's reports a similar increase in clients with chronic mental problems as well as in elderly clients (60 years of age and older). Of the homeless served by st. Joseph's, 1/3 are families and 2/3 individuals seeking assistance. HOMELESS WORKING GROUP In its Final Report developed for Council, the Working Group indicated that it stood ready "as concerned citizens of Santa Monica and as the working Group on the Homeless in our communty to: 1. Help with the important work of ongoing public education 2. To advise the Council and City staff on homeless issues 3. To hold hearings and trouble-shoot as deemed appropriate 4. To evaluate progress on these recommendations by January, 1986.11 The Working Group has met twice since issuing its final report. As a result of its meeting in late October, the attached letter was sent to Councilmember Epstein urging that the group be officially reconstituted to serve as a community resource on the homeless issue. At a second meeting held December 4 at which the city Manager was - 11 - present, the Working Group: 1. rei terated its support for its recommendation to commence litigation against the County for failure to serve the chronically mentally disabled; 2. reiterated its interest in having the city take action regarding problem liquor outlets in the downtown/palisades Park area; 3. stressed the importance of having a day shelter established in Santa Monica to which the homeless could be directed for services. Prepared by: Vivian Rothstein Assistant to the Director Recreation and Parks Department - 12 - ! fl. Cl. C lust nnstran hUl'Ch 609 AR,ZONA AVENUE: SA:"..!'!"'A ....O:'-.PCA CAL.FOF......A 90~Ol 1213' 3336767 DISCIPLES OF CH"{iST REV CHA~LE5 \V E!...S......J'ICK PAS rc~ ~ovcmber 25, 1985 Counol :'lember Dav1d Epsteln ' , Santa I>lonica City Counnl 2800 ~ellson Way Apt. #1607 Santa Monlca, Ca. 90405 Dear Davld, As per recent phone conversat10n, thlS 1S to fo~ally request that the Councll reconstltute the Clt1zens Work1ng Group on the Homeless. ThlS was the consensus of the group and Clty staff whlch met together informally the last of October. We are pleased that the Councll has taken actlon on a number of our recomnendatlons, and I understand will soon review again. It 15 our bellef that a reconstltuted offlclal citlzens group on the homeless CQuld help the {ouncll move ahead wlth furthur lmplernent3tlon of these and perhaps other needed reco~~endatlons. Several of us have vis1ted the SeDlar Center 1n Pallsades park and share your concern for a crackdown on cr1me ln the area, and other needed remed1es to ma~e thlS and other publlC places safer and more useable for all of our citizens. The need for one or more outreach teams to do preventa- tlve work wlth the homeless 1n the parks, in and around the llbrary, etc., lS a presslng need. A n~ County Shelter for women and chlldren 1n Venice 15 helpful, as is the proffilse of some add1tlonal resources for the homeless mentally ill. There 1S stlll, however, the pres51ng need for addltional lobbying at federal, state, and county levels to deal wlth the problem. "Homelessness lS a growlng problem in the region lvith no SlgnS of abatlng," according to a recent report of the S. CallfoTTIla ASSOClation of Governments. Additional day centers through- out Los ,\ngeles County are desperately needed. The 60 Day Penalty and low General Rellef GRants contlnue to pour some 3,000 people a month onto the streets, many of whom end up ln Santa Monlca and the Westslde. Large numbers of mentally 111 homeless contlnue to wander the streets of our cities. There lS a gross lack of lOW-lncorne houslng. ~long wlth those of you on the Councll responsible for publlC pollcles, c1tizen serVlces and law enforcement, many of us who have worked with the homeless know the Soultlons are not simpllstlC. On gOlng community educatlon ratlooal dIalogue, and non-part1san cooperatlon are essential. We stand ready to work wlth you, and request reconstitutlon of the Workin~'Group on the Homeless. Slncerely> J . ~" P('~ \; (! '. ~"-..J-~un-- "'----" -"' ~'<-/ ~ . Rev. Charles f~ ElSWICk '_: rt" '1-' rT'lr:- rC:: nTl 0 -I: i 'j.-..p ~\.'nrl. 1 n 0- (:r('\llY'